Four-fifths of MPs believe schools should provide every child with
at least two hours of physical education (PE) per week, according to new
research released by the Youth Sport Trust.
This
overwhelming support from Parliament comes as organisations including
the Youth Sport Trust are highlighting the critical role of PE in addressing the development and wellbeing crises faced by today’s generation of children.
As the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review enters its next stage[SC4] , 89% of MPs have expressed their desire for the curriculum to include protected time for PE; a recommendation included within[SC6] the Labour manifesto ahead of the 2024 general election.
The findings come at a critical time when less than half of children and young people are achieving 60 active minutes a day, as recommended by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers.
Furthermore, since London hosted the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012, 41,000 PE hours have been lost from schools nationwide (2023-24), reflecting a societal and systemic trend of deprioritising physical activity.
The Youth Sport Trust, alongside other organisations including those representing five of the leading sports[SC11] in England, have called for urgent action with increased access to PE and sport in schools, to ensure every child can access the benefits associated with sport and play.
In addition to the well-documented benefits of physical activity for physical health (90%), mental wellbeing (87%) and social wellbeing (85[SC12] %), MPs also recognised the impact of sport and play on good life skills (82%), increased confidence (81%), giving a sense of belonging (69%), concentration & learning (54%) and better self-regulation/behaviour (61%).
On Thursday 3 April, the House of Commons debated access to PE and school sport, which offered an opportunity for the Government to hear from MPs across the political spectrum why PE and school sport is so important to young people across the country. MPs involved highlighted best practice in their constituencies, the importance of physical activity in improving wellbeing, socialising, self-esteem as well as physical health, and called for more sustainable funding for PE and school sport. The debate can be read in full here.
Commenting on the findings, Youth Sport Trust CEO Ali Oliver MBE, said: “It is incredibly positive to see support for PE and sport in schools is so strong in Parliament. Giving every child the opportunity to be active in childhood is crucial for their health and wellbeing, development and socialisation. There is also significant evidence to show increased physical activity impacts positively on student engagement in learning, academic progress and attainment. However, the reality is at present too many children are missing out.
“With the Curriculum and Assessment Review and Spending Review currently in progress, we have a unique opportunity to build on this cross-party consensus and create meaningful change. We need to put physical activity at the heart of every school day and lift the value of PE and sport in the curriculum helping children to lead healthier, happier, and more successful lives.”
